Balloon gun and game

ABSTRACT

A toy gun capable of releasing inflated balloons for erratic flight to a target is disclosed. The gun has a pair of spring biased jaws which grip the neck of a balloon and hold it in inflated condition. One jaw is pivoted by a trigger away from the other to release the balloon. In one embodiment the gripping portions of the opposing jaws are themselves individually pivoted to hinge outwardly from a stop position for friction free release of the balloon and have conforming concave faces to provide a recess to aid in supporting the inflated balloon. The lower jaw can have a forward lip to support the balloon. A basket target is provided to catch the balloon in its flight and score a hit.

United States Patent Casper BALLOON GUN AND GAME [72] Inventor: Le Roy V. Casper, 3740 West Wrightwood, Chicago, 111. 60647 22 Filed: July 22,1971

21 Appl.No.: 165,275

[52] US. Cl. ..l24/1l, 46/88,124/41, 273/101 [51] Int. C1 ..F4l1) 11/00 [58] Field 01 Search ..46/88; 124/11, 18,41; 273/101 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,616,483 9/1927 B611 ..124/16 1,729,917 10/1929 Webb ..124/18 2,505,248 4/1950 Pope ..124/1l 3,261,341 7/1966 Merz ..124/11 [151 3,698,374 1 Oct. 17, 1972 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting AttorneyHarbaugh and Thomas [5 7] ABSTRACT A toy gun capable of releasing infllated balloons for erratic flight to a target is disclosed. The gun has a pair of spring biased jaws which grip the neck of a balloon and hold it in inflated condition. One jaw is pivoted by a trigger away from the other to release the balloon. In one embodiment the gripping portions of the opposing jaws are themselves individually pivoted to hinge outwardly from a stop position for friction free release of the balloon and have conforming concave faces to provide a recess to aid in supporting the inflated balloon. The lower jaw can have a forward lip to support the balloon. A basket target is provided to catch the balloon in its flight and score a hit.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBBHYIHTZ 3.698 374 SHEEI1UF2 l/VVIEN TOR.

LEROY l CASPER Attorneys P'A'TENTEDum 11 I972 3,698,374

SHEETBUFZ INVENTOR. LEROY l4 CASPER y .44 4 Vaam Attorneys BALLOON GUN AND GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toy balloons have been used as parts with various structures both as a source of stationary power, as to drive a windmill, or as a part which is inflated and released. Early toys to inflate and release a balloon or use its air pressure as a power source used flap valves in an inflating device to facilitate inflation of the balloon by children. Balloons with tangential jet means and a mass or weight affixed to the surface of the balloon to give a rotating flight are known. Barrichs in US. Pat. No. 3,205,634 discloses a toy balloon ejecting pistol which has a barrel with a mouthpiece at the breech end and a valve at the muzzle end. An ordinary balloon is fitted at the throat with a whistle and the whistle is force-fitted on the valve. The barrel is carried in a housing and operated by the trigger in a manner to retract and force the whistle off the end thereof. This device employs a limiting member to increase the nozzle end of the balloon to prevent the neck from expanding away from the whistle and also prevent the balloon from sagging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns a simple balloon holding and releasing toy gun which includes clamping jaws hinged for quick release which is simple to load and easy for anyone to load and fun to shoot.

The device comprises a fixed handle and upper jaw member resembling a toy gun. A trigger carrying the lower jaw member is pivoted to the handle and a spring biases the trigger outward from the handle and the jaws into contacting position. The bias of the spring is sufficient to pinch the neck of an inflated balloon and prevent it from leaking. Upon pulling the trigger the FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view like FIG. 6 with the hinged jaws shown in release position.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE I INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the balloon gun of this invention is shown to include the unitary body portion 10 comprising the pistol grip handle 12 integral with and depending from the extended barrel portion 14 having at its end the depending jaw portion 16 with a flat transverse surface on the underside indicated at 18. The handle 12 is defined in part by the straight forward edge 20 which curves into the under edge 22 of the barrel and at the jun ctures of this edge there is provided a protruding and integral pivot support 24 having a cross bore (not illustrated) to receive the bolt 26 which extends through the bifurcated lobes or opposed ears 2S and 30 of the trigger 32 formed therein by the cut-out 34. The cars 28 and 30 have axially aligned bore holes to receive the bolt 26 and thus pivotally support the trigger.

jaws separate and the balloon is propelled by the internal air pressure inside the forward end of the balloon in erratic jet flight toward the target.

In an embodiment of the invention means are provided to increase or decrease the erratic action of the flight of the balloon and also steady the balloon and support it longitudinally of the upper jaw or barrel so that is initial line of flight will be in the direction of the target. Both quick release and circumferential support are also provided for the inflated balloon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The several embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the balloon gun of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the balloon gun with an inflated balloon between the jaws ready for release;

FIG. 3 is a coordinated view showing the gun in release position, the balloon in flight and the distant targer in cross-section;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 with a modified spring biasing means and flight control means attached to the upper jaw with a balloon (shown partially) in place;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the tip ends of the jaws with a modifying lip in the lower jaw to support the inflated balloon (partially shown) axially of the barrel;

The trigger has the arcuate jaw member 36 integral therewith which has at its extended end a jaw portion 38 which presents a flat surface 40 that is pivotal to a surface contact position with the jaw surface 18 of the jaw member 16. The spring member 42 is provided between the barrel member 14 and the lower jaw member 36 and is affixed at the points 44 with a small brad or screw. The spring member biasses the jaws l6 and 38 to the closed position of FIG. 1 with sufficient force to clamp upon the neck 46 of the balloon 50 and maintain it in its inflated condition as shown in FIG. 2.

Under the bias of the spring 42 the trigger 32 is pivoted away from the surface 20 of the handle 12 and finger pressure on the trigger causes the trigger to pivot in the direction of the arrow 52, bringing the jaw surfaces 18 and 40 apart so that the balloon is released instantaneously. As the balloon neck is opened, the escaping air stream is at atmosphere pressure and the internal pressure against the forward part of the balloon, along with the elasticity of the balloon, causes it to be propelled into flight.

In FIG. 3, a target 54 is shown comprising the top flared wall 56, the back wall 58 and the lower wall 60 with the upturned edge 62, defining the opening 64 to receive the balloon. The suction cups 65, fastened by suitable bolts 66 to the back side of the wall 58, serve as a means of support for the basket against a door or wall indicated at 68. If desired, a suitable target indicia or caricature can be inscribed on the wall 58.

The loading of the balloon gun shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is simple. The neck of the inflated balloon is pinched between the fingers, the tripper is pulled and the extended portion of the neck is inserted between the jaws as the trigger is released. The arcuate portion 36 of the lower jaw provides sufficient space 70 to receive the neck 40 of the balloon quite readily so that a child can load the toy.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modification of the device is shown wherein the spring 42 has the extended shank 72 with inwardly directed eye member 74 to receive the brads or screws 76 on the top and bottom at one side of the barrel and lower jaw members. This arrangement places part of the pulling force of the springs on the eyelets and also makes the device easy to repair. Also in this embodiment the space 70 is free for manipulation of the neck 48 of the balloon 50 into place between the jaws.

The top barrel has the deflector plate 78 afflxed to its under surface 22 by means of the screw 80. The plate 78 is as wide as or wider than the arm 36 and the barrel 14 and has the base plate 82, the forwardly and downwardly or sloping surface plate 84 and the toe plate 86 adjacent to, but spaced from, the top surface 88 of the lower jaw. The plate 78 can be turned on the axis provided by the screw 80 or bent to different configurations as a means of influencing the flight of the balloon. The base plate 82 can have a slot therein (not shown) whereby the plate 78 can be moved toward or away from the jaws 16 and 38.

Although the plate 78 cannot form a real function in actually influencing the flight of the balloon, it is included as a novelty whereby a shooter can make an adjustment or pretend to and in jest allege that he sighting-in. The presence of the deflector plate 78 and its adjustment does not interfere with the trigger action.

FIG. shows a modification wherein the lower jaw portion 38' is provided with the protruding lip or extension 90 having the carved dipper surface 92 upon which the body of the balloon 50 rests. This holds the.

longest axis of the balloon in general alignment with axis of the barrel l4 and line of sight therealong and prevents it from hinging downward at 93. In the manner at least the initial flight of the balloon can be controlled and the chances of it jetting to the floor are decreased. Without the lips 92 it was found that the line of sight along the barrel had to be elevated above the target for most successful shooting. If desired, the surface 92 can be contoured to fit the balloon.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show still another modification to include the upper and lower hinged jaw tips 94 and 96 which are pivoted upon the cross-pins 98 and 100,

respectively from the ends of the barrel 14 and the 4 lower trigger jaw 38. The underside of the end of the barrel 14 is inletted on each side to provide a narrower section 102 to receive the top pin 98. The sides of the lower trigger jaw 38 is similarly inletted on the sides to form the narrow section 104 to receive the cross pin 100 therethrough. To the rear of each of these inletted or side recessed portions on each side, there is provided a step or stop member 106 for the barrel and 108 for the trigger jaw 38. These steps are on opposite sides and coplanar and spaced from the ends of the barrel and trigger jaw. Although four steps are shown it is apparent that only one for each jaw tip is necessary.

The top jaw tip 94 pivots on the pin 98 counterclock-wise so that its corner 1 l0 strikes the step 106 so that the jaw part is about central of the opening or space 70 under the barrel. The lower jaw 96 pivots clock-wise so that its corner 112 strikes against the lower step or stop member 108. Each of the jaws is offset as at 114 to nest upon the narrow sections 102 and 102 and pivot freely on the respective pins.

An inflated balloon is inserted into the open jaws of the gun and as the jaws are allowed to come together, a

slight backward movement hinges each of the pivoted jaws to the position shown in FIG. 6 whereby flat opposed tips 1 l6 and 118 grip the neck 48 of the balloon and keep it in the inflated condition.

The front positions 120 and 122 are recessed so that in the position shown in FIG. 6 they define a pocket to receive the body portion 94 of the balloon and keep it from sagging. There may be a slight compression of the corner edges 124 upon the balloon as shown at 126.

Upon release or pull of the trigger 32 the barrel 14 and lower jaw 38 separately as shown in FIG. 8, and the jaws 94 and 96 flip outwardly forming with their now inward jaws 126 and 128 a kind of last second guide for the neck and beaded opening 130 of the balloon. During loading the bottom pivoted jaw 96 can be in the position shown in FIG. 6 and the neck of the balloon inserted against the freely pivoted top jaw 94 as it is pushed back to the clamping position of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the jaw parts 116 and 118 are parallel and flat so as to produce a tight fit upon the neck of the balloon to prevent air leakage before shooting.

The toy gun of this invention can be made of wood or plastic. In place of the spring 42, a rubber band can be wrapped around the barrel 14 and the lower jaw 38, since any tensioning means can be used. The inner edges or surfaces 130 and 132 of the barrel 14 and lower jaw 38 are rounded so as to provide a conical opening through which the bead 130 passes when the trigger is pulled. This is illustrated in FIG. 5. Instead of biasing the jaw portion 38 toward the barrel 14 about the pivot pin 26, the biasing means can be located between the trigger member 32 and the surface 20 of the handle 12 as a compression spring. Alternatively, the spring or biasing means can be a coil spring about the pin 26 with one end attached to the frame or support 24 and the other end attached to one of the opposed ears 28 or 30.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy gun adapted to release inflated balloons comprising:

body means having a handle member and an extended barrel member;

trigger means pivotally mounted from said body means having an arm member extending adjacent and in spaced relationship from said barrel member and including a trigger member whereby said trigger means is manually pivoted;

said barrel member and said extended arm member of said trigger means presenting opposed terminal jaw portions; and

means biasing said trigger means about said pivot whereby said jaw portion of said extended arm member is urged against the jaw portion of said barrel member with sufficient force to pinch the neck of an inflated balloon and pressure on said trigger member releases said balloon.

2. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which:

said barrel member and said extended arm member of said trigger means are essentially coplanar and one of said members is arcuate to define said spaced relationship and deflecting means are provided within said space along the axis of the neck of an inflated balloon held by said jaw portions.

3. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which:

said biasing means comprises a tension spring member attached in the space between the underside of said barrel portion and the upper side of said extended arm of said trigger means.

4. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which:

said jaw portions of said barrel member and said arm member each have opposing surfaces that interengage in contiguous pinching relationship under the force of said biasing means and the jaw portion on said extended arm includes a shoulder means axially supporting said balloon.

5. A toy gun in accordance with claim 4 in which:

said opposing surfaces of said jaw portions define transverse flat surfaces adapted to register with each other across the neck of an inflated balloon as the members pivot in relation to each other under the bias of said biasing means to seal the air therein and said shoulder means defines a cup-like recess.

6. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which:

said opposed jaw portions comprise individually pivoted jaw members mounted from said barrel and extended arm respectively;

said jaws being adapted to pivot inwardly to lock in said pinch position upon the neck of the balloon and being free to pivot outwardly in the release position of said trigger member.

7. A toy gun in accordance with claim 6 in which:

said pivotal jaw members include shoulder portions adjacent the pivotal axes thereof; and

the respective barrel member and extended arm include opposing shoulder portions adapted to register with the shoulder portions of said pivotal jaws in the pinch position. 7

8. A toy gun in accordance with claim 7 in which:

said opposing shoulders are inside the respective pivotal axes of said jaws in relation to the barrel end of said toy gun.

9. A toy gun in accordance with claim 6 in which:

said pivotal jaw members are provided with recessed outer surfaces to receive and support the inflated position of the balloon at said neck and align the balloon with the line of sight of the barrel. 

1. A toy gun adapted to release inflated balloons comprising: body means having a handle member and an extended barrel member; trigger means pivotally mounted from said body means having an arm member extending adjacent and in spaced relationship from said barrel member and including a trigger member whereby said trigger means is manually pivoted; said barrel member and said extended arm member of said trigger means presenting opposed terminal jaw portions; and means biasing said trigger means about said pivot whereby said jaw portion of said extended arm member is urged against the jaw portion of said barrel member with sufficient force to pinch the neck of an inflated balloon and pressure on said trigger member releases said balloon.
 2. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which: said barrel member and said extended arm member of said trigger means are essentially coplanar and one of said members is arcuate to define said spaced relationship and deflecting means are provided within said space along the axis of the neck of an inflated balloon held by said jaw portions.
 3. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which: said biasing means comprises a tension spring member attached in the space between the underside of said barrel portion and the upper side of said extended arm of said trigger means.
 4. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which: said jaw portions of said barrel member and said arm member each have opposing surfaces that interengage in contiguous pinching relationship under the force of said biasing means and the jaw portion on said extended arm includes a shoulder means axially supporting said balloon.
 5. A toy gun in accordance with claim 4 in which: said opposing surfaces of said jaw portions define transverse flat surfaces adapted to register with each other across the neck of an inflated balloon as the members pivot in relation to each other under the bias of said biasing means to seal the air therein and said shoulder means defines a cup-like recess.
 6. A toy gun in accordance with claim 1 in which: said opposed jaw portions comprise individually pivoted jaw members mounted from said barrel and extended arm respectively; said jaws being adapted to pivot inwardly to lock in said pinch position upon the neck of the balloon and being free to pivot outwardly in the release position of said trigger member.
 7. A toy gun in accordance with claim 6 in which: said pivotal jaw members include shoulder portions adjacent the pivotal axes thereof; and the respective barrel member and extended arm include opposing shoulder portions adapted to register with the shoulder portions of said pivotal jaws in the pinch position.
 8. A toy gun in accordance with claim 7 in which: said opposing shoulders are inside the respective pivotal axes of said jaws in relation to the barrel end of said toy gun.
 9. A toy gun in accordance with claim 6 in which: said pivotal jaw members are provided with recessed outer surfaces to receive and support the inflated position of the balloon at said neck and align the balloon with the line of sight of the barrel. 